Lightning causes
an average of $500 million in damage, almost 100 deaths, and 300 injuries
per year in the United States.

Lightning has killed
people while boating, swimming, golfing, exercising, talking on the
phone, and even enjoying a concert.

Lightning can carry
up to 100,000,000 volts of electricity; Enough energy to illuminate
a 100 watt bulb for more than 3 months.

A single lightning
bolt can reach up to 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit (almost five times hotter
than the surface of the sun). The average thunderstorm is 6-10 miles
wide and travels at around 25 miles per hour.

Lightning can strike
as far as 10 miles from the leading edge of the storm. You can be in
immediate danger even in clear skies.

Lightning can and
does strike more than once, the Empire State building gets struck, on
average, 20-25 times per year.